The Rev circled and stomped his competition on his way to his fourth straight trip to the winner’s circle in the Preferred pace on Saturday afternoon (Dec. 5) at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
In line to trainer Gilles Barrieau, The Rev was unhurried at the start of the $2,900 event getting away last in the field of five. Screen Test (Corey MacPherson) set the front-end tempo of :28.1, :58.2 and 1:29.1 then The Rev made his move from the back to sweep his competitors and win by more than five lengths in 1:57.3 over a track rated two seconds off. Screen Test hung on for second with Revenant (Adam Merner) third.
Jeffrey Skinner of Hammonds Plains, N.S., owns the winning 10-year-old son of Western Paradise.
Barrieau had a driving triple on the program as he also scored with Clare Hall Hanover (2:00.4) for trainer Chad Taylor and Southwind Ion (1:58.4) for part of a training double by Jennifer Doyle. Doyle’s other victory came with a perfect pocket ride in the fourth race as Winter Blast won in 1:58.2 with Ken Murphy above the wheels.
Murphy was a hot commodity on the 15-dash card with three trips to the historic Charlottetown winner’s circle. Murphy hit the wire first in a front-end score with Tempo Seelster (1:59.2) from the Gary Poulton barn and also gave conditioner Joe MacDonald the first half of training double with Agood Time To Rock (2:00.2). The MacDonald- trained Tell Me Why (2:00) won the afternoon finale with MacPherson driving for his other victory.
Woodmere Skyroller went all the way for the champion filly’s first win at the $2,800 Fillies and Mares Open level in 1:58.4. David Dowling supplied the steer for trainer Kevin MacLean and owner Reg MacPherson of Stratford.
The back-up horses and geldings pace saw a mild upset as Legendary Ron (2:00.1) drove up the passing lane to win the $2,500 event at 7-1 odds with Myles Heffernan Sr., in the race bike for owner Doug Matheson of Cornwall.
Live harness racing continues next Saturday, Dec. 12, at 12:30 P.M. at Red Shores Charlottetown. Go to Redshores.ca for race replays and more. To view the results from the Saturday afternoon card at Charlottetown, click the following link: Saturday Results - Charlottetown Driving Park.
(with files from Red Shores)